Embattled Halfmoon Supervisor Melinda "Mindy" Wormuth responded vigorously Tuesday evening to reports of an FBI probe into her business dealings and the Town Board's subsequent call earlier on Tuesday for her to resign.

"I have neither been charged with nor convicted of any offense," Wormuth said in an emailed statement. "I will not resign on the basis of an inaccurate newspaper story, a newspaper story which was substantially a rehash of old, discredited allegations.

"I have been cleared of wrongdoing before and will be cleared again."

Wormuth's fellow board members — Walter Polak Jr., Paul Hotaling, John Wasielewski and Craig Hayner — signed a statement filed with the town clerk saying they sent Wormuth a letter Monday telling her that while "you are presumed innocent in any investigation, it is time that you think about the best interests of the town of Halfmoon and step down as town supervisor."

The statement also said Wormuth has "become ineffective as a leader and it is time to consider putting the residents of the town of Halfmoon first and foremost."

Wasielewski said the board's assertion that Wormuth is "ineffective" stems from distractions caused by the investigation itself and the publicity it has received this week. The Times Union reported on Monday that FBI agents interviewed Wormuth last week as part of an investigation into, in part, financial transactions she or her husband, Larry Wormuth, may have had with developers with projects before the town.

"We have a lot of serious business to be done in Halfmoon," Wasielewski said. "This distraction is definitely an impediment to us moving forward as a town."

Town Council candidate Deanna Stephenson criticized the board's decision and said it may have been prompted by Polak and Hotaling facing challenges for their seats in the November election.

"It's unfortunate that they pick this time to be afraid of how voters will react if they don't do something," said Stephenson, a Democrat.

Wasielewski's and Hayner's terms do not expire until 2015. However, Hayner is running unopposed for Saratoga County clerk in November.

Wasielewski acknowledged that some may view the move as political, but he said for him it is about the town.

"I try not to be political in my decision-making," he said. "From my point of view it's not. It's something that needs to be done."

Some officials, including Polak, have supported Wormuth. Last spring, Polak backed Wormuth when the town Republican Committee voted instead to endorse former town justice Kevin Tollisen for the supervisor's job. Wormuth initially said she would stay in the race but later said she wouldn't seek re-election.

Alan Gratidge, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors chairman and Charlton town supervisor, a Wormuth ally, also criticized the board's call, saying Wormuth has done a great job representing her constituents.

"I think her Town Board acted very prematurely in asking for her resignation," he said.

Wasielewski said the council's decision came after lengthy discussions. It's unclear how the board discussed the issue, and reached a consensus, without convening an official meeting.

"It was a very weighty decision for all four of us. For the long-term and short-term future of the town, this is what needs to be done," he said.

Calls to other board members were not immediately returned Tuesday evening.

Efforts to reach Wormuth on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Wormuth's attorney, E. Stewart Jones, said he spoke to Wormuth about her plans but he can't comment about what they are.

The next Town Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Wormuth was not present at Tuesday's Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meeting.